DICCIONARIO DE EXPRESIONES EN INGLÉS
En este Diccionario de Expresiones en Inglés, encontrarás una selección de frases y modismos explicados de manera sencilla y clara por nuestros profesores y especialistas. Cada definición está diseñada para ayudarte a entender cómo y cuándo utilizar estas expresiones en situaciones reales.
Nuestro objetivo con este glosario es apoyar tanto a estudiantes como a profesionales en el aprendizaje del idioma, facilitando la comprensión de frases comunes, expresiones idiomáticas y términos clave del inglés cotidiano. Así, buscamos resolver dudas y ofrecer un recurso práctico y valioso para quienes desean mejorar su dominio del inglés.
Como academia de idiomas, hemos decidido compartir este contenido como una referencia útil para nuestros alumnos y visitantes, con ejemplos prácticos que te ayudarán a familiarizarte con el contexto y las situaciones en las que puedes aplicar cada expresión. Este diccionario es un proyecto en constante crecimiento, con nuevas expresiones añadidas regularmente.
¡Esperamos que te sea de gran utilidad en tu camino para dominar el inglés!
A blessing in disguise
Algo que inicialmente parece negativo, pero termina siendo beneficioso. Ejemplo en castellano: «Una bendición disfrazada.»
A piece of cake
Algo muy fácil de hacer. Ejemplo en castellano: «Pan comido.»
All ears
Estar completamente atento y dispuesto a escuchar. Ejemplo en castellano: «Soy todo oídos.»
Back to square one
Volver al punto de partida tras un intento fallido. Ejemplo en castellano: «Volver a empezar.»
Break the ice
Hacer algo para superar la incomodidad inicial en una situación. Ejemplo en castellano: «Romper el hielo.»
Burn the midnight oil
Trabajar o estudiar hasta altas horas de la noche. Ejemplo en castellano: «Quemarse las pestañas.»
Catch someone off guard
Sorprender a alguien cuando no lo espera. Ejemplo en castellano: «Pillar a alguien desprevenido.»
Cost an arm and a leg
Algo extremadamente caro. Ejemplo en castellano: «Costar un ojo de la cara.»
Cut to the chase
Ir directo al punto, sin rodeos. Ejemplo en castellano: «Ir al grano.»
Don’t cry over spilled milk
Algo que ya ha sucedido y no puede cambiarse, por lo que no merece lamentarse.
Ejemplo en castellano: «No llores sobre la leche derramada.»
Dig in your heels
Mantenerse firme o resistirse a cambiar de opinión.
Ejemplo en castellano: «Plantarse en los propios principios.»
Drop the ball
Cometer un error o fallar en algo por descuido.
Ejemplo en castellano: «Meter la pata.»
Every cloud has a silver lining
Incluso en las peores situaciones, hay algo positivo.
Ejemplo en castellano: «No hay mal que por bien no venga.»
Easier said than done
Algo que parece fácil de decir, pero difícil de hacer.
Ejemplo en castellano: «Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho.»
Eye for an eye
Retribución equivalente al daño recibido.
Ejemplo en castellano: «Ojo por ojo, diente por diente.»
Face the music
Aceptar las consecuencias de tus acciones.
Ejemplo en castellano: «Afrontar las consecuencias.»
Fight fire with fire
Usar los mismos métodos que tu oponente para enfrentarlo.
Ejemplo en castellano: «Luchar fuego con fuego.»
Find your feet
Sentirse cómodo y adaptado a una nueva situación.
Ejemplo en castellano: «Encontrar tu lugar.»
Give it a shot
Meaning: to try something new or uncertain (intentar; hacer el intento)
Example: «I’ve never tried sushi before, but I’ll give it a shot.» (Aunque no he probado sushi, voy a intentarlo)
Go the extra mile
Meaning: to try a little harder after you have made an effort (hacer un esfuerzo adicional).
Example: «My teacher always goes the extra mile to help her students succeed.» (Mi profesor/a siempre hace un esfuerzo adicional para que sus alumnos tengan éxito.)
Get the hang of something
Meaning: to learn how to do something or use something (pillarle el truco a algo).
Example: «It seems difficult at first, but then you’ll get the hang of it.» (Parece complicado al principio pero luego le pillarás el truco)
Have a blast
Meaning: to have a very good time (pasarlo genial)
Example: «We had a blast at the party last night!» (¡Nos la pasamos genial en la fiesta anoche!)
Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: used to say that what someone has said is exactly right (dar en el clavo)
Example: «When our coach said we needed more practice, he hit the nail on the head.» (Cuando nuestro entrenador dijo que necesitábamos más práctica, dio en el clavo)
Hit the books
Meaning: to start to study (ponerse a estudiar)
Example: «If you want to pass all your exams, you’d better hit the books.» (Si quieres aprobar todos tus exámenes, mejor que te pongas a estudiar)
It’s not rocket science
Meaning: used to say something is not difficult to do (no es tan difícil como parece)
Example: «Just follow the instructions – it’s not rocket science.» (Sólo sigue las instrucciones – no es tan complicado.)
In a nutshell
Meaning: in a few words (en pocas palabras)
Example: «In a nutshell, students need to study more and complain less.» (En pocas palabras, los estudiantes tienen que estudiar más y quejarse menos)
In the long run
Meaning: later in the future, not immediately (a largo plazo)
Example: Although investing in quality education might be expensive, it will definitely pay off in the long run.» (Puede que ahora sea caro, pero invertir en una educación de calidad definitivamente merecerá la pena a largo plazo)
Jack of all trades (master of none)
Meaning: someone who can domany different jobs, but who often is not very skilled at any of them («El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta»)
Example: «I don’t want to be a jack of all trades. I’d rather specialise in a certain field.»
Keep an eye on (someone/something)
Meaning: to take care of someone/something and make sure they’re not harmed, damaged, etc. (echarle un ojo a alguien/algo)
Example: «Please keep an eye on my dog while I’m on holiday.»
Look on the bright side!
Meaning: be optimistic in a bad situation (mirarle el lado bueno a las cosas)
Example: «Even though you had an accident, no one was badly hurt. Look on the bright side!»
Just in case
Meaning: because of the possibility of something happening (por si acaso).
Example: «You’d better take the keys in case I’m out.»
Jump the queue
Meaning: to go in front of others who are already waiting in a line (saltarse la fila)
Example: «My official uniform meant that we could jump the queue.»
Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: to succeed in achieving two things in a single action (matar dos pájaros de un tiro)
Example: «I killed two birds with one stone and picked the kids up on the way to the supermarket.»
Kick the bucket
Meaning: to die (morirse)
Example: «When I kick the bucket you’ll be able to live on my life insurance.»
Let bygones be bygones
Meaning: to forget something bad someone has done to you and forgive them (lo pasado, pasado está)
Example: «Just let bygones be bygones and be friends again.»
Lend a hand
Meaning: to help someone do something, especially something that needs physical effort (echar una mano)
Example: «Can you lend me a hand with this?»
Make ends meet
Meaning: to have only just enough money to buy the things you need.
Example: «When Mike lost his job, we could barely make ends meet.«
Neck and neck
Meaning: If two competitors or candidates, etc, are neck and neck, then they are very close and neither is clearly winning.
Example: «The two runners were neck and neck as they approached the finish line.»
On the dot
Meaning: exactly on time or at a particular time.
Example: «Mr Green arrived at six on the dot.«
Make no bones about something
Meaning: to not feel nervous or ashamed about doing or saying something.
Example: «He made no bones about stating his own views or criticising theirs.»
Make the most of
Meaning: to gain the greatest possible advantage from something.
Example: «Advice on how to get the most out of your computer.»
Never mind
Meaning: You can say «never mind» when you want someone not to worry or feel bad about something, or not to bother doing something.
Example: «I’m sorry I lost that wallet you gave me.» «Never mind, I can easily buy you another one.»
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
Meaning: used to say that you cannot achieve anything unless you take risks.
Example: «She decided to apply for the job, even though it was a long shot, remembering that nothing ventured, nothing gained.»
Off the record
Meaning: unofficial and not supposed to be made public.
Example: «She made it clear that her comments were strictly off the record.»
Off the beaten track
Meaning: in a remote location.
Example: «The farmhouse we stayed in was completely off the beaten track.«
Pain in the neck
Meaning: someone or something that is very annoying.
Example: «That child is a real pain in the neck.«
Quiet as a mouse
Meaning: not making much noise, or making no noise at all.
Example: «I’ll be as quiet as a mouse while the baby is sleeping.»
Rack your brain(s)
Meaning: to try very hard to remember or think of something.
Example: «I racked my brains, trying to remember his name. Yet, I couldn’t remember it.«
Piece of cake
Meaning: very easy.
Example: «This exam is a piece of cake!«
Pinch of salt
Meaning: to not completely believe something that you are told, because you think it is unlikely to be true.
Example: «You have to take everything she says with a pinch of salt, because she tends to exaggerate.»
Quick as a flash
Meaning: if you say that someone reacts to something quick as a flash, you mean that they react to it extremely quickly.
Example: «Quick as a flash, Mary finished her exam and raced out of the classroom.»
Question of time
Meaning: used when you think that something will happen at some point in the near future.
Example: «If you keep on driving like that, it’ll only be a matter of time before you have an accident.»
Recharge your batteries
Meaning: to do something to regain your energy after working hard for a long time.
Example: « A week in the mountains should recharge my batteries.»
Ring a bell
Meaning: if something rings a bell, it reminds you of something, but you cannot remember exactly what it is.
Example: «Her name rings a bell but I can’t remember her face.»
Safe and sound
Meaning: completely safe and without injury or damage.
Example: «I got home after the party safe and sound.«
Talk shop
Meaning: to talk about your job with those you work with when not at work.
Example: «Even at a party they have to talk shop!«
Under the radar
Meaning: ignored or not noticed much by people in general.
Example: «The couple’s wedding ceremony was very much a below-the-radar affair.«
See eye to eye
Meaning: If two people see eye to eye, they agree with each other.
Example: «My sisters don’t see eye to eye with me about the arrangements.«
Sell like hot cakes
Meaning: to be bought quickly and in large numbers.
Example: «The new game is apparently selling like hot cakes.»
Take the bull by the horns
Meaning: to do something difficult in a brave and determined way.
Example: «Why don’t you take the bull by the horns and tell him to leave?»
Take it easy
Meaning: to relax.
Example: «Take it easy – don’t get mad.»
Under one’s nose
Meaning: in an obvious place.
Example: «He found his wallet under his nose.»
Under the weather
Meaning: to feel ill.
Example: «I’m feeling a bit under the weather – I think I’m getting a cold.»
